Cooling system for centrifugal casting molds



J y 14 1942. M. F. HEM M. 2 ,3

COOLING SYSTEM FOR CENTRIFUGAL CASTINGjMOLDS Filed Sept. 12, 1941 1 s Sheets-Sheet 1 m o I I; zm

Maurice FL'l-Iealy Harald ELWEEEET'L er July 14, 1942. MQF. HEALY ETAL COOLING SYSQEM FOR CENTRIFUGAL CASTiNG MOLDS s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 12, 1941 zjwuc/wbom Maurice 1 1w Harald E|-WE55ET1 July 14, 1942. LY ETAL' I 2,289,361

COOLING SYSTEM FOR CENTRIFUGAL ,CASTING MOLDS i ll ' Q 27 i oizmzzzm I grwwvbo w 'Maurice FL-Heal y Harald E WEssEn E1) WW M' i MW Patented Jul 14, 1942 UNITED n:

coo'LING SYSTEM Fon QENTBIFUGAL CASTING MOLDS Maurice F. Healy, Water-town, and Harold B.

, Wessenger,Meliiford, Mass.

Application September 12, 1941, Serial No. 410,616

(Granted under *the act of March 3, 1883, as

' amended April 30, 1928; .370 0. G. 757) 9 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manu-' facturedand used by or'for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to centrifugal casting molds, and in particular to' a cooling system therefor.

The heating of casting machines, both in the mold and in the bearings, is a limiting factor should continuous operation or marked increase in production be desired.

According to the invention, means are provided for drawing air from the atmosphere at each end of the machine into'and through a space between the mold and the rotor, or mold-actuating device, a free path having been provided. A sheet metal manifold is constructed around the revolving rotor, and the heated air is drawn out of this space through ports in the rotor by means pf an exhausterr Leakage of air from outside into the manifold is minimized by a labyrinth on the manifold edge at the rotor. The distribution of cooling air along the length of the machine is controlled by adjustable ports in the machine at its ends.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a cooling system of improved efficiency for centrifugalcasting molds. I 7

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel methodof air cooling for centrifugal casting molds employing the exhaust principle.

It is a further object of the invention to pro- I received ina rotor 2 and spaced therefrom by vide a cooling system for centrifugal casting,

molds combining exhaustion of cooling air'and regulable air entry ports.

The specific nature of the invention as well as .other objectsand advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment as shownin the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view in axial casting mold and rotor,

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, I v

Figure 3- is a section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is an end view of the pouring end section of a of the mold.

means of ring inserts 3. The latter are bored at circumferential intervals as shown at 4 to main! tain an air passage between the mold and rotor.-

At each end of the mold I, intake passages! are provided, and bolted in juxtaposition thereto are plates 6 having perforationsl which may be brought into varying degrees of registration with passages 5 when plates 6 are rotated, for which purpose arcuate slots 8 are provided in the plate (see Figure 5). position by tightening down on bolts 9. g

A baflie I0 is provided on the mold l immel diately under exhaust ports ii. In the form shown this comprises an annular member with v sloping faces to forma V-section and may be reinforced as by radial members l2. Screws l3 serve to fix the baflle to the mold.'-

Surrounding the exhaust ports II is an annu:- lar exhaust manifold M of generally channel shape inwardly, which opens into the main exhaust line l5, square in section, but which may also be round, or square at the manifold, merge ing into round. v The manifold I4 is reinforced at its outer corners by welded angle bars 16, and is fixed to uprights I! on the bed l8 of the machine by' brackets l9. Leakage of outside air into the manifold is minimized by the provision of a labyrinth consisting of a series of annular plates 20, 2| preferably aluminum, of staggered internal diameters to provide air traps 22. The inner edges of protruding plates 2| will preferably be bevelled to enhance the blocking action of the labyrinth.

For the purpose of mounting the labyrinth, a nunderslung structure is provided in the form of two angle bars 23, 24 welded back to back with the upper one 23 welded to the manifold I4. The

annuli forming the labyrinth are carried on bolts 25 received in nuts 26 which may be welded to the angle 24 to facilitate assembly and, removal. A washer 21 may be included. The outer ends of bolts 25 are carried by a plate 28 which is fixed to the manifold by means of bolts 29 and 30 threaded into a receiver bar 3| inside the manifold. -A washer 32 of a thickness approximating that of the angle bar 23- is provided. on upper bolt 30. Spring washers 33 should be employed" on the bolts in view of the vibrations. The sturdy suspension shown will effectively resist the vibration encountered, and the strength may be increased by the provision of a strengthenin rib or flange 34 on the plate 28. Cross bracing of The plate is fixed in the desired :the rotor and the labyrinth to allow for radial expansion of the rotor, and the centervof the; manifold is spottedin position to coincide with the center of the exit ports l I when the rotor has 7 attained its full longitudinal expansion.

We claim: 1. For use Witha centrifugal casting, machine,

an air-cooling device comprising an annular manifold of. generally channel shape with a central opening of a size to exceed but approximate the diameter of the casting machine, an annular baflle on said manifold at said central opening comprising plates of alternately large and small 4. A centrifugal casting mold rotor, exhaust ports therein and an exhaust manifold surrounding said ports, the center of said manifold being normally positioned out of line with the center of saidports an amount approximating the distance moved longitudinally by said ports by mal expansion. I 5. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a rotary mold, a rotor surrounding said mold and spaced therefrom to provide a passage for cooling air, air entry ports at the ends of said passage; air exit ports spaced on a peripheral line of said rotor, and an annular exhaust manifold surrounding said exit ports, said manifold being generally channel-shaped and having serrated innen rims.

6. A centrifugal casting machine as in-claim 5, said manifold being generally channeL-shaped, wherein the sides of said manifold comprise plates of alternately large and small inner diameter to form a labyrinth for inhibiting the ;passage of air between the manifold and the ex-' terior of the rotor.

7. In a centrifugal casting machine as in claim 5, an annulus on the mold aligned with the exit ports for deflecting air thereto in the passage.

8. An air exhausting manifold comprising an annular housing of channel section, a stack of annular plates of alternately large and small inner diameter fastened to each side of said housing and forming the inner rims thereof.

9. For use with a centrifugal casting machine,

an air-cooling device comprising an annular manifold having side portions and an outer peripheral portion defining a generally channel sec tion, the innerrims'of said side portions being serrated axially of the manifold to a depth less than the depth of said side portions.

MAURICE F. HEALY.

HAROLD B. WESSENGER.

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